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The Moral Pillar and the Moral Contortionist

Alistair Cooke reflects on the ethical dilemmas that arise when the Pope visits the USA.

• 15 mins

Dot Dot Dash Dash, Over and Out

To commemorate the last wireless telegraph, Alistair Cooke remembers some Morse code.

• 15 mins

It ain't Over, Till it's Over

Alistair Cooke reflects on President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial.

• 15 mins

Our Long Holiday from History is Over

The political fallout of Clinton’s impeachment trial is explored by Alistair Cooke.

• 15 mins

The Pursuit of Self-Determination

Alistair Cooke explores how President Woodrow Wilson helped redmap Europe after WWI.

• 15 mins

Played for a Sucker

After revelations about the CIA in Iraq, Alistair Cooke ask; who watches the watchmen?

• 15 mins

A Natural Gentleman

Alistair Cooke pays tribute to the placid, talented, baseball player Joe DiMaggio.

• 15 mins

Wholesale Flouting of the Law

Alistair Cooke considers how US Presidents keep flouting the War Powers Resolution.

• 15 mins

Doves, Hawks, Owls and the People

Alistair Cooke considers the power held by Alan Greenspan over the economic market plunge.

• 15 mins

In the Hot Seat

In the aftermath of a NATO airstrike, Alistair Cooke reflects on the tactics of war.

• 15 mins

The Art and Curse of Television

Alistair Cooke reflects on TV war reports since the abolition of front-line censorship.

• 15 mins

Whatever It Takes

Alistair Cooke wonders why only Senator John McCain acknowledges the NATO war.

• 15 mins

What's Your Exit Strategy?

On the 50th anniversary of NATO, Alistair Cooke considers the power it wealds.

• 15 mins

No Schadenfreude on Nato's Birthday

Alistair Cooke recalls his memories of 1949 when NATO was first created.

• 15 mins

Columbine High School shootings, 1999

The shootings by schoolboys in Columbine High School, Colorado and the gun control debate.

• 15 mins

Two Attitudes about China

Alistair Cooke reflects on the Chinese reaction to an accidental bombing of their embassy.

• 15 mins

A Course in Manners

Alistair Cooke reflects on male chivalry, the feminist movement and good manners.

• 15 mins

Witticisms and Crazy One-Liners

With the Balkan wars still ongoing, Alistair Cooke relies on humour for some light relief.

• 15 mins

Laws Doomed from the Start

Alistair Cooke explores how an electric golf buggy altered the US disability law.

• 15 mins

Testing Times in the Advancement of Science

GM crops remind Alistair Cooke of other scientific developments that caused controversy.

• 15 mins

Freedom in America

Do spontaneous protests occur? Alistair Cooke explores Rosa Parks’ infamous bus ride.

• 15 mins

Playing for Time

Alistair Cooke reflects on why it takes so long for the Supreme Court to reach a verdict.

• 15 mins

The First Golden Paratrooper

Alistair Cooke reflects on a golden parachute handed out upon retirement.

• 15 mins

Air Conditioning and Changes in Society

Whilst under a heat induced house arrest, Alistair Cooke marvels at air conditioning.

• 15 mins

The Brewing of Racial Storms

Do sports contests ease international relations? Alistair Cooke is sceptical.

• 15 mins

Tyrants and Curses Live On

Alistair Cooke considers the hysterical press coverage of John Kennedy Jr's plane crash.

• 15 mins

Loneliness, Male Companionship and the Hunt

Alistair Cooke pays tribute to Ernest Hemingway with a parody of his writing style.

• 15 mins

Going to Pot or to Pluto

Youth might be wasted on the young, but Alistair Cooke believes they have a bright future.

• 15 mins

No Word from Mount Olympus

Alistair Cooke wonders how Congress can predict a $3 trillion Treasury surplus in 2010.

• 15 mins

Close, but No Cigar

Alistair Cooke discusses the medical and social aspects of smoking cigars.

• 15 mins